Advancing Obstetrics and Gynecology Training: The Shift Towards
Outcome-Based Education, A narrative review of literature.
Abstract
Background: Outcome-Based Education (OBE) has become essential
in reshaping medical training, driven by evolving practices, changing
patient expectations, and increased legal accountability in healthcare.
OBE is notably impactful in specialties like Obstetrics and Gynecology,
demanding precision and adaptability. Materials and Methods:
This peer review involved examining literature on OBE across various
medical fields, with a focus on Obstetrics and Gynecology. Using PubMed
and the University of Limerick library database, searches included terms
related to OBE, curriculum development, and educational assessments.
Only fully accessible articles in English were reviewed, ensuring a
focus on comprehensive studies. Results: The shift from
volume-based to competency-based training is profound in Obstetrics and
Gynecology. Tools like the Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX)
and Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS) are
critical for objectively evaluating competencies in real-time settings.
Despite their role in meeting contemporary medical standards, challenges
persist, including discrepancies between intended and actual training
outcomes, variable effectiveness of assessment tools, and a tendency for
evaluations to become simplistic checklists. Continuous refinement of
these tools is necessary to accurately measure competencies. Crucially,
the successful adoption of OBE relies on full trainer engagement and
their integration into the transition process. Conclusion: OBE
represents a substantial evolution towards structured and measurable
training goals in medical education. Successful implementation depends
on adapting and rigorously evaluating educational strategies to match
the dynamic medical training landscape.